FYBF – When Love Trumps Hate

Whether it was a quick detour to get to a client meeting or routinely driving through to work, the majestic mood of Martin Place always took my breath away.

There’s the beautifully restored GPO clock tower with its chime echoing through the quadrangle that also carries the angelic acoustics of many a talented busker.

For a crappy corporate working day, Martin Place and its city buzz would always make me stop in my tracks to be grateful; how fortunate it was to feel so safe in a bustling, spectacular city.

I bumped into my heavily pregnant friend at the gym on Wednesday morning.

Admiring her gorgeous, growing bump, it was a nice change after the past couple days of horrific events.

Asking how she was feeling, her usual bubbly face suddenly dropped to a quivering frown. Fighting through her tears was the confession on how the Martin Place siege had emotionally hit her hard.

“I just started to freak out last night,” she cried.

“How am I going to bring a child into this world where there is so much evil and wrong?”

My dear friend had succumbed to pregnancy hormonal surges and what I like to call, “Mama Bear mode”

Oblivious to my gym sweat, I hugged her tight and whispered, “Welcome to the emotional roller coaster of motherhood.”

What happened in Martin Place on Monday morning is an extremely sad reflection to the senseless violence, hate and anger that can exist in our world.

This horrible incident – along many others – never fails to make me doubt if I’m cut out for this parenting gig.

Sure, I can feed them and care for them.

But this innate responsibility to protect; the obligation I precariously have in raising confident, strong, resilient children?

It feels impossible.

Most of all, how can I assure them that they’re safe and secure in this world when we are infested by so much sorrow and pain?

We can’t shield our kids forever.

But there’s nothing stopping me to also talk about compassion, humanity and love.

While our beloved Martin Place was a place of unexplainable horror, it also quickly became a makeshift shrine, with a continuing outpour of flower tributes and cards for the victims’ families, friends and loved ones.

That in instances like these, I can show my children that love is actually tangible.

One day when they want to know what makes Sydney – their home – so special and rock solid, I can proudly tell them of a time where we put aside our differences – race, religion, creed – and let those flowers represent how we stand side by side in times of adversity.

I want to teach them to experience beyond feelings of defiance or revenge.

That instead, they’re instilled with the knowledge that love trumps hate.

Every time.

As a parent, not only does that gives me hope for my children but also for this world.

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Comments

This is a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing the photos. I will show your post to my family today so they too can see the outpouring of love in this world of ours. Incredibly proud to be Australian right now.
LeanneLeanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 1898 – Dressing for Christmas Cocktails #everydaystyle

The uncertainty is so unsettling and yes, I worry constantly about protecting my children. It’s it’s own type of fear. Then I look at pictures of all the goodness and love that is here and I feel overwhelmed by that too. It’s undoubtedly been a very emotional week. Thanks for sharing these images xVicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad recently posted..Bumps, Christmas & Domestic Tard-ness

Oh Grace, your words and pictures are beautiful, and I have a tear in my eye. I don’t have kids, but this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about parents and parents-to-be, and how they feel about bringing and raisiing children into a world that is so full of hate and evil. It was as if you read my mind. I wasn’t born or raised in Sydney, I chose to move half way around the world and live here when I was an adult. And I’m so pleased I did. Not only is this is an amazing city, it’s full of amazing people. This week, more than ever, I’m both grateful and so proud that I’m a Sydney sider.Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted..My 5 Festive Favourites 2014

Beautiful post, Grace. There was such ugliness to come not just from the act, but from some people’s reactions to it as well. I’m glad the beauty and support has overwhelmed the rest. xxEmIly recently posted..Digging my new digs, and reflecting on 2014

We were in Martin Place on Sunday night, we took the girls to see the big Christmas tree. It’s surreal to think about what happened in that exact spot just a few hours later. But, like you, I’m proud of the way the majority of our country has stood together to stare down evil and say ‘we will not be afraid’.Emma Fahy Davis recently posted..Introducing dish’d {Review + Giveaway}

So true, Grace. I saw a meme on FB yesterday which talked about looking for the helpers in tragic news stories, because they’re always there. And it’s true. No matter how bad things are, they can’t crush the good side of the human spirit altogether.Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side of Parenting recently posted..Mortgages suck but renting with kids sucks more

Australia has come along way since the Cronulla riots. Some dick in The Australian (ie the Murdoch rag for the mildly less intellectually impaired) was saying that the #I’ll ride with you was a denial of Islamic threat. I see it as a standing together in the face of the threat. Mind you as terrible as the events last Monday were, we need to put them in perspective. Since 2001 just over 100 Australians have died in terror related incidents and only 3 of these were on home soil. Over the same period 19K have died in road accidents. Realistically we have more to fear getting into our cars each morning than strolling through Martin Place. Of course we need to take the terror threat seriously but Australian’s dont need to live in fear.
PS: I will be heading back to the Lindt cafe as soon as possible 😉

It must have been very moving visiting Martin Place and feeling that somber atmosphere, but so much love represented in the sea of floral tributes. I always try to focus on the love that brings us together in times of tragedy and this week that love has been so powerful. Merry Christmas Grace.XKathy recently posted..Bringing it all back to balance

I lost it like your pregnant friend. So much waste and horror for such beautiful people, by such a bad man. It is the really black side of life and just so very very sad.
CarolynDesire Empire recently posted..Mango and Coconut No Bake Cheesecake

Grace, thank you for sharing your beautiful words and photos.
I found it so hard to explain to Bell what happened, while still letting her know she was safe. It’s so easy for little ones to see the terror, and miss the good that shines through.
Hug your babies tight xxLisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..Peace Please

This is such a beautiful post Grace. I have also been struggling a bit with the sadness around the whole incident and having some pretty big conversations with my boys about why the actions of one person should not condemn the many. Parenting is a tough gig some days that’s for sure xxRachel_OurTownBNE recently posted..Celebrate! Your guide to Brisbane’s BEST New Years Parties

What a moving post Mama G, just have a wee few tears in my eyes, I have tried not to think about this for the past few days but have let it back in my mind after reading this. I’m so proud of how we have all banned together, we all are one and can fight hate with love. Hugs to you xxxEmily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Don’t give boring presents this Christmas!

I believe too that love will triumph evil. We may not be able to stop each horrible thing from happening in this world, but as we bring up our kids to be people to can bring more good into this world, the probability of horrors happening will decline too. Peace be to all the families affected..Ai Sakura recently posted..Home Living | New Bosch Athlet Cordless Handstick Vacuum

Tragedies such as this one are horrible. It is heartening to see out of it that kindness and inclusion seems to be triumphing over hate. It starts at an individual level.Fairlie recently posted..How to have a merry Christmas abroad

Great post…I also love the reminder that amidst all this hate and ugliness, always look for the helpers, the compassionate people doing what they can to make the situation better, and those that are trying to make a difference in any way they can. Beth.The Exercise Hitlist recently posted..Adventurethon Albany

I think its amazing that despite how tragic the events of Monday were, the community has united together and proven that we will not let fear beat us.Toni @ finding myself young recently posted..52 WEEKS OF MEMORIES | 50 – FROM THE SIDE

It is overwhelming to see the unity and human compassion and empathy that’s emerged from this horror. A beautiful, sincere and touching post Grace.Pinky Poinker recently posted..Australian Horror Story

Such a moving post that captures what most parents would be thinking. Your photos are also amazing. It’s wonderful to see how much love can flow after such a tragic event. I’m pregnant at the moment and often wonder what kind of a world I am bringing my children into, but if we all raise our children to be good members of society then peace and love will always triumph over fear and hate.Erika @ Ever-changing Life of a Mum recently posted..School holiday bliss

Sitting on the other side of the country we too were horrified as we listened to the events unfold and then sadened to learn of the ose of 2 brave lives. How could this be happen in our country?Sally@Toddlers on tour recently posted..Packing for Kids: The Essentials this Holiday Season

Sometimes living in country WA you can be a little isolated from what goes on over in the East. However this week I’m not sure how many tears I have shed, not just with the sad things I have read but of the positive action and words I have seen.Annaleis recently posted..{WW} December Photos 2014

I’ve felt super emotional all week, mourning for the families who lost their loved ones, and the survivors who would be overcome with trauma after such a terrible incident. I’m going to be completely honest and say I’ve even mourned the gunman, because he must have been a very unwell person to have been part of such an evil act.
Your post brought tears to my eyes, sad, happy and proud tears, because although this is a terribly heart breaking situation, it IS inspiring the way our nation has banded together in such time of crisis, and the loving nature of our community makes me so overwhelmed with pride and gratitude.
Our children need to be children, and need to remember the love and kindness our people have shown in this terribly trying time, rather than the man who felt he needed to plea for attention with such a desperate act as this.
Beautiful post, GraceSheridan Anne recently posted..Christmas DIY Gift Card Holder

A beautiful post Grace and such a perfect sentiment for an otherwise horrific circumstance. Such beautiful images too, love the angels xxJosefa @always Josefa recently posted..‘Tis the season for shopping

Beautiful post and images Grace. For the past few days I’ve been humming the tune “We are Australian”, so seeing your 2nd last photo made me think I mustn’t have been only one feeling that way. Its such a horrible tragic loss. My heart goes out to those poor families, especially the 3 children who won’t have their Mummy with them on Christmas day 🙁 I guess the only nice thing that’s come out of the ugliness of that horrid day, is to see Australians come together. xJulie @ Off to the park recently posted..Merry Christmas / Season’s Greetings / Happy Holidays

Oh my gosh what a week!!!! I’m horrified by what happened just as I was when I was in London during the 7/7 attack! When will it stop!! I think Sydney’s response to it all was unreal – beautiful and perfect. I decided that I would tell my Mr 8 what happened only if he asked me. He didn’t so I’ve left them in safe ignorance for now. xxRobyn recently posted..Wishing you all a very merry, safe and happy Christmas

I really needed some time away from social media and the news this week. We have family and friends that work at Chanel 7 and Martin Place and as soon as I knew they were all ok, I just had to switch off. I was pleased to see the positives that came from the siege.Raych aka Mystery Case recently posted..Worth Casing Wednesday | The Beat Goes On….

Its been such a sad crazy week in Sydney, but yet Australians again have pulled together to show the world that we are strong. We are one, and we won’t let anyone take that away.
May both Katrina and Tori be both resting in peace, may their families feel how loved they are by the Australia people, and may this never ever happen again.
The scary thing is that this could have been avoided if only the court system was stronger.
And the scary thing is that anyone of us could have been in that very cafe, I took both boys to Sydney to see the Lego Xmas tree the day before.
Those flowers, the books where people can express their thoughts, that there makes me very proud to say I am Australian.
And yes you are so very brave Grace, all we can do with our children is show them love will over come anything xxxLisa Wood recently posted..Spicy Chicken Wings With Blue Cheese Sauce

Beautiful post, Grace. I have found this week overwhelming and my pregnancy hormones have been in overdrive. It’s all a bit overwhelming. But, you’re so right love triumphs and that’s what I want my children to know.Becky from BeckyandJames recently posted..Celebrating Baby Patch | Giveaway

I’ve spent so much time the past few days thinking about this tragedy. About little kids the same age as my own who are suddenly motherless, and how unfair that is. It was a monday morning. It should have been standard.
And it wasn’t.
And it’s wrong.
But thank goodness that we are a nation that realises that, and can love so beautifully in the face of tragedy. That is a truly miraculous thing.
Beautifully said Grace. xxEssentiallyJess recently posted..The 2014 Recap Post.

I am not even sure of the right or appropriate words to describe my thoughts and feelings about what has occurred in our wonderful country over the last week. So much unnecessary hurt and heartbreak for so many families 🙁
Beautiful words and photos Grace.Zita recently posted..for a Fitbit Flex v Garmin Vivofit Review

I just popped in to say hi and take a scroll through your life and what I’ve missed. This post was beautiful Gracie and the photo, just perfect. I don’t know how long it’s been since this tragedy but it most certainly feels like yesterday. I know it could happen again at any moment but I choose not to let them take control. That’ what they want and I won’t give it to them!

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[…] and compassion started pouring in. I haven’t been to Martin Place, but I’ve seen beautiful tributes and photos that made me teary. I can’t help being grateful that in the city where I live love is […]

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About Me…

Indonesian-born, Grace spent extensive time living and working overseas, primarily in Japan. She now resides in Sydney where she is mum to identical twin boys and wife to an avid surfer. While she has happily replaced office life with motherhood, Grace has discovered that a 10 year career in corporate sales and being fluent in 3 languages is futile when dealing with toddler tantrums and singing “The Wheels On The Bus”